Ladder stand and activity rail assembly

ABSTRACT

A tree stand includes an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to a chair. The activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowed position and the second stowed position. The activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable between a first position and a second position, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the first position, a horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the second position. The tree stand may further include a platform to support the chair, and, optionally, a ladder portion to support the platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of, and claimspriority to, pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/724,095, filedDec. 20, 2019, which is incorporated herein in its entirety byreference.

BACKGROUND

Hunters, wildlife observers, and others use portable seating systems inthe form of tree stands to conceal themselves from wildlife or to havean elevated perspective for observing wildlife. Such a tree stand may bepermanently or temporarily attached to a support structure, such as atree. A tree stand advantageously allows a user to carry minimalstructure into a remote area and to rely on natural features to supportthe stand. Some tree stands are capable of being supported entirely by atree or other support structure and may not include a ladder forclimbing up the stand. Some tree stands include ladders that may assistwith supporting the tree stand while it is attached to the supportstructure and that facilitate a user's climb up the stand. Tree standswith ladders may be called ladder stands. Tree stands that hang directlyfrom the support structure (and may optionally exclude a ladder) may becalled “hang-on” stands.

Existing ladder stands have several drawbacks. For example, existingstands may not work on trees with branches because installation requirespositioning support straps over or around branches. Existing stands thatrely on movable jaws to hold a tree may work only on a limited range oftree sizes. Such movable-jaw systems may also be difficult to install oruninstall because the jaws may need to be operated (such as opening orclosing) while a user is on an upper platform of the stand, meaning auser may need to climb the stand before it is safely secured to thetree. Existing stands also tend to apply a downward force on the upperattachment point to the tree, which can cause the stand to shift downthe tree and become unstable while climbing. Further, existing standsmay have only one strap to tighten a tree blade against a tree. Becausetrees are typically not uniform, having only one strap to tighten theblade against a tree can result in an uneven or twisted contact with thetree.

Some ladder stands include so-called “shooter's rails” or “shootingrails” that may include a bar positioned in front of a user for the userto rest upon to improve stability while holding a rifle, binoculars, orperforming another activity. Such “shooter's rails” may also improvesafety by enclosing a user at the top of a tree stand. Existing“shooter's rails” have several drawbacks. For example, some existing“shooter's rails” lack sufficient height adjustability or are incapableof being stowed in a manner that does not obstruct the user duringactivities in which a “shooter's rail” is not used, such as ingress tothe tree stand, egress from the tree stand, or bowhunting. Some“shooter's rails” are removable from their corresponding tree stands butsuch removability may require a user to find a place to store the railwhen it is not in use, which presents a risk that a user may drop therail from the tree stand.

SUMMARY

Representative embodiments of the present technology include a ladderstand having a blade element that is drawn toward a support structure,such as a tree, by two straps that extend from the ladder stand, wrappartially around the tree, and connect to each other at the backside ofthe tree or otherwise adjacent to the tree to position the tree betweenthe blade element and the straps. The straps may be connected to eachother by a connecting device so that a user or installer may pass eachstrap around the tree individually. By connecting the straps togetherafter passing them around the tree, a user may position the straps toavoid obstructions on the tree before tightening the straps to draw theblade element into the tree. The straps may be positioned to begenerally level or horizontal with the blade element to provide aprimarily horizontal or perpendicular force to draw the blade elementagainst or into the tree. In some embodiments, a stabilizer bar may bepositioned below a platform of the ladder stand, between a ladderportion of the ladder stand and the tree, to further stabilize theladder stand against the tree.

Representative embodiments of the present technology also include anactivity rail assembly rotatably attached to a chair, such as a chairsupported by a tree stand or a ladder stand. The activity rail assemblyis rotatable among a first stowed position in which the activity railassembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position in which theactivity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or more deployedpositions between the first stowed position and the second stowedposition. The activity rail assembly is extendable and retractablebetween a first position and a second position, wherein when theactivity rail assembly is in the first position, a horizontal activityrail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity rail assemblyis in the second position.

Other features and advantages will appear hereinafter. The featuresdescribed above can be used separately or together, or in variouscombinations of one or more of them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the sameelement throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 illustrates a ladder stand configured in accordance withembodiments of the present technology, in a deployed position andattached to a support structure. FIG. 1 also illustrates an activityrail assembly configured in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology, in a deployed position.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the ladder standshown in FIG. 1, including an upper connection between the supportstructure and the ladder stand.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the ladder standshown in FIG. 1, including a tensioning device attached to the ladderportion and operable to tension an upper support strap, in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology.

FIG. 4 illustrates the ladder stand shown in FIGS. 1-3 in a pre-climband pre-installation configuration, in order to illustrate aninstallation procedure in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a portion of the ladder stand shown in FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of another portion of the ladder stand shownin FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates a seating portion including an activity rail assemblyconfigured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology,with the activity rail assembly positioned in a stowed-up (rotated-up)position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the seating portion shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, with theactivity rail assembly positioned in a stowed-down (rotated-down)position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear side perspective view of part of the seatingportion shown in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, with the activity rail assemblypositioned in a deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology is directed to ladder stands, activity railassemblies, and associated systems and methods. Various embodiments ofthe technology will now be described. The following description providesspecific details for a thorough understanding and enabling descriptionof these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand, however,that the invention may be practiced without many of these details.Additionally, some well-known structures or functions, such as thosecommon to ladder stands, chairs, or ladders, may not be shown ordescribed in detail so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the relevantdescription of the various embodiments. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent technology may include additional elements or exclude some ofthe elements described below with reference to FIGS. 1-9, whichillustrate examples of the technology.

The terminology used in this description is intended to be interpretedin its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used inconjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodimentsof the invention. Certain terms may even be emphasized below; however,any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner willbe overtly and specifically defined as such in this detailed descriptionsection.

Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include theplural or singular term, respectively. Moreover, unless the word “or” isexpressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the otheritems in a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such alist is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list,(b) all the items in the list, or (c) any combination of items in thelist. Further, unless otherwise specified, terms such as “attached” or“connected” are intended to include integral connections, as well asconnections between physically separate components.

FIG. 1 illustrates a ladder stand 100 configured in accordance withembodiments of the present technology, in a deployed position andattached to a support structure 105, which may include a tree, a pole,or another sturdy structure. The ladder stand 100 includes a ladderportion 110 (having a plurality of rungs or steps), a seating portion115 (which may include a chair 116 supported on a platform 117)supported by the ladder portion 110, and a plurality of support straps(such as four support straps) 120 a, 120 b, 120 c, 120 d for securingthe ladder stand 100 on the support structure 105.

In some embodiments, the ladder stand 100 includes a stabilizer bar 125,which may be a single bar, a multiple piece bar, or a telescoping bar.The stabilizer bar 125 may be oriented generally horizontally and may bepivotally connected, releasably connected, or otherwise suitablyconnected to the ladder portion 110 at a first end 130, and engaged withthe support structure 105 at a second end 135. In some embodiments, thesecond end 135 includes one or more spikes 140 for pressing into thesupport structure 105 (for example, to dig or stab into a tree for asecure connection with the tree). In other embodiments, spikes 140 maybe omitted and the second end 135 may frictionally engage the supportstructure 105. The ladder portion 110 may be collapsible, telescoping,one integral ladder, or another suitable configuration for forming aladder structure.

In some embodiments, the seating portion 115 may include an activityrail assembly 145. The activity rail assembly 145 may be used as ashooter's rail, as a safety rail, or as a rest-surface for otheractivities. The activity rail assembly 145 is movable among severalstowed and deployed positions for a user to selectively position theactivity rail assembly 145 for use in various activities. For example,the activity rail assembly 145 may be rotatable relative to the seatingportion 115 along a rotational pathway 150. The activity rail assembly145 may additionally or alternatively be extendable and retractable. Theactivity rail assembly 145 may be rotatably attached to part of theseating portion 115. In some embodiments, the activity rail assembly 145may be rotatably attached to the chair 116. Rotation, extension, andretraction of the activity rail assembly 145 are described in additionaldetail below with regard to FIGS. 7-9.

FIG. 1 illustrates a deployed position of the activity rail assembly145. In such a position, the activity rail assembly 145 generally wrapsaround a user sitting in the chair 116, and portions of the activityrail assembly 145 may hover generally above or directly on a user's lapor knees. For example, the activity rail assembly 145 may include ahorizontal activity rail portion 147 that may be positioned in front ofa user when the user is in the chair 116 and the activity rail assembly145 is in a deployed position.

Other representative positions of the activity rail assembly 145 includea first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly 145 isoriented upright (see FIG. 7), a second stowed position in which theactivity rail assembly 145 is oriented downwardly (see FIG. 8), and insome embodiments, the activity rail assembly 145 may be oriented inseveral other deployed positions between the first stowed position andthe second stowed position. The chair 116 may include a retainingelement 155 positioned to support the activity rail assembly 145 in oneor more of the deployed positions. As explained in additional detailbelow, when the activity rail assembly 145 is in a stowed position, theactivity rail assembly 145 may be out of the way of a user duringingress into the seating portion 115, egress from the seating portion115, or during activities in which an activity rail assembly would be anobstruction to the user.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the ladder stand 100,showing an upper connection 200 between the support structure 105 andthe ladder stand 100. In some embodiments, a first upper support strap120 a is connected to the ladder stand 100 and wraps partially aroundthe support structure 105, and a second upper support strap 120 b isconnected to the ladder stand 100 and wraps partially around the supportstructure 105. The first upper support strap 120 a and the second uppersupport strap 120 b may be connected to each other with a connectingdevice 210.

The ladder stand 100 may be positioned on a first side 212 (such as thefront) of the support structure 105, and the connecting device 210 maybe positioned on a second side 214 (such as the back) of the supportstructure 105, opposite the first side 212, or the connecting device 210may be positioned elsewhere as long as it connects the first and secondupper support straps 120 a, 120 b such that they together wrap aroundthe support structure 105. The connecting device 210 joins the first andsecond upper support straps 120 a, 120 b such that they together wraparound the support structure 105 to secure the ladder stand 100 to thesupport structure 105.

The ladder stand 100 may include one or more blade elements (such as twoblade elements, or more blade elements) 215 a, 215 b. In someembodiments, the blade elements are carried by the seating portion 115(for example, attached to the chair 116 or the platform 117, orotherwise supported by the platform 117). The blade elements 215 a, 215b may include teeth 217 (such as serrations or spikes) for digging orstabbing into the support structure 105. For example, as described inadditional detail below, the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b may betightened against the support structure 105 to cause a primary bladeelement 215 a (such as a lowermost blade element attached to theplatform 117) to press against or into the support structure 105.

Embodiments of the present technology advantageously allow the uppersupport straps 120 a, 120 b to create a force that is generallyperpendicular to the support structure 105 (such as a horizontal force),as opposed to a force that is oriented at a generally oblique anglerelative to the support structure 105. In other words, in someembodiments, the primary blade element 215 a and the upper supportstraps 120 a, 120 b are positioned to be generally parallel when one ormore tensioning devices 300 (described below) apply tension to the uppersupport straps 120 a, 120 b so that the primary blade element 215 a ispositioned and configured to apply a generally horizontal force againstor into the support structure 105. Such a perpendicular or horizontalforce aids the primary blade element 215 a in gripping the supportstructure 105 and avoids an undesirable upward or downward force on theremainder of the ladder stand 100. This provides improved stability andreliability in the connection between the ladder stand 100(specifically, the primary blade element 215 a) and the supportstructure 105. Such improved stability and reliability facilitates asafe pre-climb installation process and provides a stable ladder stand100 that a user can safely climb to complete installation (such asfastening additional straps), as explained in additional detail below.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a portion of the ladder stand 100,showing a tensioning device 300 attached to the ladder portion 110 (orotherwise supported by the ladder portion 110) and operable to tightenthe second upper support strap 120 b, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present technology. FIG. 3 shows only one side of the ladder portion110, the second upper support strap (120 b), and one tensioning device300, but FIG. 1 illustrates another tensioning device 300 attached tothe other side of the ladder portion 110 and operable to tighten thefirst upper support strap 120 a. In some embodiments, the tensioningdevices 300 may include a ratchet device for applying tension to theupper support straps 120 a, 120 b. Although two tensioning devices 300are shown in the figures, in some embodiments, more or fewer tensioningdevices may be used. For example, one single tensioning device 300 maybe implemented to tighten both upper support straps 120 a, 120 b. Theone or more tensioning devices 300 are operable to tighten the uppersupport straps 120 a, 120 b to draw the blade elements (such as theprimary blade element 215 a) against or into the support structure 105.

With reference to FIG. 1, the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b, whichare connected together by the connecting device 210, extend along theplatform 117, down the ladder portion 110, to the tensioning devices 300for a user to tighten the support straps 120 a, 120 b from a user'sposition on the ground. In some embodiments, the upper support straps120 a, 120 b may be supported by one or more strap supports 118 (such ashooks or loops) attached to the platform 117. In some embodiments, theupper support straps 120 a, 120 b may be supported by one or moreadditional strap supports 118 attached to the ladder portion 110. Insome embodiments, the straps 120 a, 120 b may be partially concealed bypassing them through or within one or more ladder rails 119 or one ormore platform rails 121.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the ladder stand100 may include one or more additional straps and tensioning devices totighten the ladder stand 100 against the support structure 105, such asone or more additional straps and tensioning devices adjacent to asecondary blade element 215 b. Such additional straps may be installedor tightened after the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b are tightenedagainst the support structure 105. A user may climb the ladder stand 100after the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b are tightened, and then auser may install or tighten additional straps.

Although the blade elements 215 a, 215 b are described as includingteeth 217, in some embodiments, the blade elements 215 a, 215 b may bereplaced with, or may include, another suitable structure configured togrip the ladder stand 100 against the support structure 105 when theupper support straps 120 a, 120 b are tightened against the supportstructure 105. For example, a gripping structure may include a surfacethat does not include teeth or spikes but instead is a smooth blade orbroad surface that relies on friction against the support structure 105.

With reference to FIG. 1, and as described in additional detail belowwith regard to FIG. 6, lower support straps 120 c, 120 d may beconnected to the second end 135 of the stabilizer bar 125, wrappedaround the support structure 105, and connected together with atensioning device 300. The tensioning device 300 is operable to tightenthe lower support straps 120 c, 120 d to pull the one or more spikes 140into the support structure 105 or to otherwise pull the second end 135against the support structure 105.

FIG. 4 illustrates the ladder stand 100 in a pre-climb andpre-installation configuration, in order to illustrate an installationprocedure in accordance with embodiments of the present technology. FIG.5 is a detailed view of a portion of the ladder stand 100 shown in FIG.4. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of another portion of the ladder stand 100shown in FIG. 4. With reference to FIGS. 4-6, embodiments of the presenttechnology include methods of installing a ladder stand against asupport structure.

In some embodiments, a user raises the ladder portion 110 and theseating portion 115 to lean against the support structure 105. The usermay pass a first end 400 of the first upper support strap 120 a and afirst end 405 of the second upper support strap 120 b around the supportstructure 105. The user may then connect the first end 400 of the firstupper support strap 120 a to the first end 405 of the second uppersupport strap 120 b using the connecting device 210. In someembodiments, the connecting device 210 may be a carabiner, a hook, aknot tying the first ends 400, 405 together (directly or with anintermediate tying element), or another suitable device to join thefirst ends 400, 405. It is preferable that the connecting device 210 isa releasable device, but in other embodiments, it may be permanent (forexample, if installation of the ladder stand 100 is intended to bepermanent). When the first end 400 of the first upper support strap 120a is connected to the first end 405 of the second upper support strap120 b, the support structure 105 is positioned between the first uppersupport strap 120 a, the second upper support strap 120 b, and theprimary blade element 215 a.

To tighten the connected upper support straps 120 a, 120 b against thesupport structure 105, a user may pull a second end 410 of the firstupper support strap 120 a and a second end 415 of the second uppersupport strap 120 b. By pulling the second ends 410, 415 of the uppersupport straps 120 a, 120 b, the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b areput under tension, the connecting device 210 moves upward along thesupport structure 105, and eventually becomes generally level with theprimary blade element 215 a (for example, the connecting device 210 andthe first ends 400, 405 move from a position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, toa position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Continued tension on the uppersupport straps 120 a, 120 b draws the primary blade element 215 aagainst or into the support structure 105 to provide a secure connectionbetween the ladder stand 100 and the support structure 105.

In some embodiments, to assist a user in pulling down on the second ends410, 415 of the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b to apply tension, thesecond ends 410, 415 may be connected to each other using a connectingdevice 420, which may be a connecting device such as a carabiner, ahook, a knot tying the second ends 410, 415 together (directly or withan intermediate tying element), or another suitable device to join thesecond ends 410, 415. It is preferable that the connecting device 420 isa releasable device, but in some embodiments, it may be permanent. Insome embodiments, a cord 425 may be connected to the second ends 410,415 of the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b such that it hangs near theground (at a lower height, below the platform 117). Such a cord 425 maybe positioned and configured to allow a user to reach the cord 425 toaid in pulling the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b while tensioningthe upper support straps 120 a, 120 b (for example, by pulling the cord425 downward). In some embodiments, when the upper support straps 120 a,120 b are in a tensioned configuration, or the connecting device 210attached to the first ends 400, 405 of the upper support straps 120 a,120 b has generally reached the height of the primary blade element 215a, a user may disconnect the connecting device 420 to remove the cord425 and separate the second ends 410, 415 of the upper support straps120 a, 120 b. Each of the second ends 410, 415 of the upper supportstraps 120 a, 120 b may be passed through or into a correspondingtensioning device 300 on the ladder portion 110, and the upper supportstraps 120 a, 120 b may be further tensioned using the tensioningdevices 300. In some embodiments, the second ends 410, 415 of the uppersupport straps 120 a, 120 b may be passed into the same tensioningdevice 300 to tension the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b.

Returning to FIG. 1, which illustrates the upper support straps 120 a,120 b in a tensioned configuration, the upper support straps 120 a, 120b may be tensioned individually and to different levels of tension (forexample, when each upper support strap 120 a, 120 b is tightened by itsown corresponding tensioning device 300, as illustrated in FIG. 1).Preferably, the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b do not cross eachother on the second side 214 (the back side) of the support structure105, opposite the remainder of the ladder stand 100. An advantage ofembodiments of the present technology is that the separate upper supportstraps 120 a, 120 b (which may only be connected to each other on thesecond side 214 (the back side) of the support structure 105 oppositethe remainder of the ladder stand 100 via the connecting device 210 atthe first ends 400, 405) can be tensioned individually to adapt tosupport structures 105 (such as trees) that have uneven shapes. A usermay tighten each support strap 120 a, 120 b independently from the otherto ensure a desired level of contact between the primary blade element215 a and the support structure 105. More specifically, trees are notuniform, and embodiments of the present technology avoid problems withexisting tree stands that often have uneven contact with supportstructures.

Another advantage of ladder stands configured in accordance withembodiments of the present technology is the ability to pass over oraround obstructions extending from support structures 105, such as treebranches. For example, FIG. 1 shows an obstruction 430 extending fromthe support structure 105. Because the upper support straps 120 a, 120 bare separable from each other and connectable using the connectingdevice 210, a user may toss (or otherwise pass) one or both first ends400, 405 of the upper support straps 120 a, 120 b over the obstruction430 to position both first ends 400, 405 on the same side of theobstruction. In some embodiments, a user may hoist one or both firstends 400, 405 over the obstruction using the stabilizer bar 125 as atool. When the first ends 400, 405 are on the same side of theobstruction 430, the first ends 400, 405 may be connected to each otherusing the connecting device 210, after which a user may tension theupper support straps 120 a, 120 b to pull the connecting device 210 andthe first ends 400, 405 into position (such as the position illustratedin FIG. 1), bypassing the obstruction 430.

With reference to FIG. 6, a tensioning device 300 may connect first ends600, 605 of the lower support straps 120 c, 120 d such that the lowersupport straps 120 c, 120 d wrap around the support structure 105. Thetensioning device 300, which may be similar to other tensioning devicesdescribed herein, may tighten the lower support straps 120 c, 120 d todraw the stabilizer bar 125 toward the support structure 105. Withreference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the stabilizer bar 125 passes from theladder portion 110 to the support structure 105 to further stabilize theladder stand 100.

Some embodiments of the present technology include a kit of parts forassembling or installing a ladder stand. Kits of parts in accordancewith embodiments of the present technology include some or all of avariety of the elements of a ladder stand described herein. For example,a kit of parts may include a ladder portion, a seating portion, aplurality of straps, one or more connecting devices, one or moretensioning devices, one or more cords, a stabilizer bar, or othercomponents.

Ladder stands configured in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology improve safety by facilitating a stable attachment to supportstructures before a user climbs the ladder stand to complete assembly(completing assembly may include adding further support straps to draw asecondary blade element 215 b against or into the support structure).Ladder stands configured in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology further facilitate stability in the installation process byapplying a generally horizontal force against or into the supportstructure, rather than a generally downward force.

FIG. 7 illustrates the seating portion 115 with the activity railassembly 145 positioned in a stowed-up (rotated-up) position. In someembodiments, the stowed-up position includes the activity rail assembly145 aligned with or behind a back portion 700 of the chair 116.Generally, in the stowed-up position, the activity rail assembly 145 isrotated along the rotational pathway 150 to a position out of the way of(such as behind) a user. In the stowed-up position, a user may accessthe chair 116 without obstruction by the activity rail assembly 145, ora user may perform activities on the chair 116 or the platform 117 withminimal obstruction (or no obstruction) from the activity rail assembly145. FIG. 7 also illustrates the retaining element 155 in a positionready to support the activity rail assembly 145 when the activity railassembly 145 is rotated down along pathway 150 to the deployed position(see FIGS. 1 and 9).

In some embodiments, the chair 116 may include multiple elements, suchas one or more legs 710 supporting a seating surface 720, the backportion 700, and other features suitable for accommodating a user. Insome embodiments, the legs 710 may be attached to the platform 117.

The platform 117 may optionally include a slot 730 positioned to receivea portion of the activity rail assembly 145 when the activity railassembly 145 is in a stowed-down (rotated-down) position, as explainedin additional detail below with regard to FIG. 8. A similar slot 740 isshown in FIG. 7 with part of an optional rotatable footrest 750positioned in the slot 740. The footrest 750 may be rotatably attachedto the platform 117 to rotate along a rotation path 760 between a stowedposition (FIG. 7) and a deployed position in which a user may rest feetor toes on the footrest 750.

FIG. 8 illustrates the seating portion 115 with the activity railassembly 145 positioned in a stowed-down (rotated-down) position. Insome embodiments, a portion of the activity rail assembly 145 (such aspart of the horizontal activity rail portion 147) may be positioned inthe slot 730 such that the portion of the activity rail assembly 145 isgenerally flush or below flush relative to the platform 117. In such aconfiguration, the activity rail assembly 145 is generally out of theway of the user and does not present a tripping hazard or other hazard.In some embodiments, the platform 117 may not include a slot 730 andportions of the activity rail assembly 145 (such as the horizontalactivity rail portion 147) may not be flush or below flush with theplatform 117. Rather, they may simply rest on or above the platform 117or anywhere below the seating surface 720 when the activity railassembly 145 is in the stowed-down (rotated down) position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear side perspective view of part of the seatingportion 115, with the activity rail assembly 145 in the deployedposition also shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the activity railassembly 145 is extendable and retractable along a direction 900 betweena first position in which the horizontal activity rail portion 147 iscloser to the chair 116 (specifically, closer to a pivot point 910 aboutwhich the activity rail assembly 145 rotates), than when the activityrail assembly 145 is in a second position. The activity rail assembly145 includes a mechanism for extending and retracting the activity railassembly 145, such as a telescoping mechanism 920.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, the telescoping mechanism 920 and theoverall activity rail assembly 145 include a plurality of telescopingtubes. For example, the telescoping mechanism 920 may include a firsttube 925 rotatably attached to the chair on a first side of the chair(at pivot point 910), a second tube 930 rotatably attached to the chairon a second side of the chair opposite the first side (at a pivot point935), a third tube 940 telescopically positioned at least partiallyinside the first tube 925 and configured to slide within the first tube925, and a fourth tube 945 telescopically positioned at least partiallyinside the second tube 930 and configured to slide within the secondtube 930. The telescoping nature of the activity rail assembly 145allows a user to adjust the position of the horizontal activity railportion 147 (such as the distance from the user or the chair 116 to thehorizontal activity rail portion 147). The telescoping nature of theactivity rail assembly 145 also aids with positioning the horizontalactivity rail portion 147 in the slot 730 (see FIG. 8). For example, auser may telescopically adjust the activity rail assembly 145 before orwhile lowering the activity rail assembly 145 into the stowed-down(rotated down) position (see FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, the telescoping mechanism 920 may include one ormore mechanisms 950 for locking one or more of the telescoping tubesrelative to each other. The mechanisms 950 for locking the telescopingmechanism 920 may include a mechanism 950 for locking the third tube 940relative to the first tube 925 or a mechanism 950 for locking the fourthtube 945 relative to the second tube 930. Mechanism 950 may include aclamp (a representative clamp is illustrated in FIGS. 7-9), one or morepins, one or more detent mechanisms, or other suitable devices forresisting or preventing telescopic motion between the tubes 925, 930,940, 945. The mechanism 950 may hold the activity rail assembly 145 inthe first position in which the horizontal activity rail portion 147 iscloser to the chair 116 (specifically, closer to the pivot points 910,935 about which the activity rail assembly 145 rotates), in the secondposition in which the horizontal activity rail 147 is farther from thechair 116 (farther from the pivot points 910, 935), or in one or moreintermediate third positions between the first and second extendedpositions.

The horizontal activity rail portion 147 extends between the third tube940 and the fourth tube 945. In some embodiments, the horizontalactivity rail portion 147 may be connected to the third tube 940 and thefourth tube 945 with one or more intermediate connecting elements orconnecting tube portions 955.

As explained above, the chair 116 may include a retaining element 155positioned to support the activity rail assembly 145 in one or more ofthe deployed positions. FIG. 7 illustrates the retaining element 155 ina position where it is ready to support the activity rail assembly 145when the activity rail assembly 145 is rotated down to a deployedposition. FIGS. 1 and 9 illustrate the retaining element 155 in aposition where it is supporting the activity rail assembly 145 in adeployed position. FIG. 8 illustrates that the retaining element 155 maybe positioned out of the way of the rotational path 150 of the activityrail 145 such that it does not support the activity rail assembly 145.Accordingly, the retaining element 155 may be movable between (a)retaining element positions in which it may support the activity railassembly 145 in a deployed position and (b) retaining element positionsin which it is out of the way of the rotational path 150 of the activityrail assembly 145 and in which it does not support the activity railassembly 145.

With reference to FIG. 9 (and FIGS. 2, 7, and 8), one or both lateralsides of the chair 116 may include a track element 960. The trackelement 960 may include a track, a slot, or another device with whichthe retaining element 155 is movably or slidably engaged to allow theretaining element 155 to move or slide between several positions (forexample, the retaining element 155 may move along pathway 965). Theseveral positions provided by the track element 960 allow a user toadjust the height or angle of the activity rail assembly 145 in variousalternative deployed positions. In some embodiments, the retainingelement 155 includes a knob that tightens against the track element 960(for example, using a threaded element extending from the knob thatengages a threaded element in the track or adjacent to the track). Forexample, the retaining element 155 may include a threaded bolt thatpasses through the track element 960 and engages a threaded nut totighten the retaining element 155 against the track element 960.

One or more of the track elements 960 may be curved or bent such that itextends in a generally vertical direction along a side of the chair 116and also in a generally horizontal direction away from the rotationalpathway 150 of the activity rail assembly 145. The shape of the trackelement 960 allows the retaining element 155 to be positioned on agenerally horizontal (or otherwise angled) portion 970 of the trackelement 960 where the retaining element 155 is clear of the rotationalpathway 150 of the activity rail assembly 145, or where the retainingelement 155 is otherwise in a position to not obstruct the rotationalpathway 150. When the retaining element 155 is clear of the rotationalpathway 150 of the activity rail assembly 145 (as shown in FIG. 8), theactivity rail assembly 145 is free to rotate along the rotationalpathway 150 between the stowed-up (FIG. 7) and stowed-down (FIG. 8)positions.

Although the retaining element 155 is illustrated as a knob sliding in atrack element 960, in some embodiments, the retaining element 155 mayinclude a pin, a bolt, a screw, or another suitable retaining element,and it may be positioned in one or more holes or detents in the trackelement 960 as opposed to sliding in or along a track or slot. In someembodiments, the retaining element 155 may additionally or alternativelybe a spring-loaded device in which the spring provides force to hold theretaining element 155 in its selected position.

Some embodiments of the present technology include kits of parts forassembling or installing an activity rail assembly 145 on a chair or atree stand. Kits of parts in accordance with embodiments of the presenttechnology include some or all of a variety of the elements of anactivity rail assembly 145 or a tree stand described herein. Forexample, a kit of parts may include one or more tubes, connecting tubeportions, a horizontal activity rail portion 147, a telescopingmechanism 920, a mechanism 950 for locking the telescoping mechanism920, a retaining element 155 (such as a knob), a track element 960,fasteners for attaching the activity rail assembly 145 to the chair 116or tree stand, or other components. In some embodiments, a user mayinstall activity rail assemblies 145 to existing chairs or tree standsusing suitable tools and fasteners that facilitate the rotation of anactivity rail assembly 145 configured in accordance with embodiments ofthe present technology. A kit of parts may include parts for assemblingor installing a tree or ladder stand with an activity rail assembly 145configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology.

Activity rail assemblies configured in accordance with embodiments ofthe present technology provide adjustability, stowability, anddeployability in order to be adapted for various activities, or forstorage during periods of non-use. For example, activity rail assembliesconfigured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology maybe deployed and used as a shooter's rail or other rest-surface toimprove stability during activities, or as a safety rail, and they maybe stowed out of the way for other activities, such as archery,bowhunting, ingress, or egress. Movement of activity rail assembliesconfigured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology alsoallows a user to climb a ladder stand and reach a seated positionwithout having to unhook a safety tether, because the user activity railassemblies may be moved out of the way of such a safety tether duringingress or egress.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments ofthe presently disclosed technology have been described herein forpurposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be madewithout deviating from the scope of the technology. For example, ladderstands and components thereof configured in accordance with embodimentsof the present technology may include more or fewer support straps, theymay omit a chair (instead having a generally bare platform supported onthe ladder portion), they may have another seating, standing, or housingstructure on the platform instead of (or in addition to) a chairportion, they may be foldable, collapsible, or able to be disassembled,they may be made of various materials (metals, plastics, composites, orother materials), they may include additional support structure, or theymay include steps or stairs instead of ladder rungs. Although a chairwith arms and a back is illustrated in the figures, the term “chair” isunderstood to include a bench without arms or a back, or anothersuitable seating surface.

Although preferred embodiments of the present technology include uppersupport straps 120 a, 120 b that are separable from each other andconnectable using the connecting device 210 (in order to avoidobstructions, for example), in some embodiments, the upper supportstraps 120 a, 120 b may be combined in a single integral support strap.For example, a single integral support strap may extend between freeends that correspond to the first ends 400, 405, which may be connectedtogether using a connecting device 210, and then the strap may betightened in a manner similar to the separable upper support straps 120a, 120 b (e.g., by passing the single support strap through one or moretightening devices 300). In some embodiments, a single integral supportstrap may extend between free ends that correspond to the second ends410, 415 (such that the strap may be continuous as it wraps around thetree), although such a single integral support strap may not provide theadvantages of separate upper support straps 120 a, 120 b (such as theability to pass over or around an obstruction).

Although the activity rail assembly 145 is disclosed having atelescoping mechanism 920, the activity rail assembly 145 may includeother mechanisms or arrangements for facilitating extension andretraction. In some embodiments a locking mechanism may reside on onlyone side of the chair 116. In some embodiments, a telescoping mechanism920 for the activity rail assembly 145 may include additionaltelescoping tubes or locking mechanisms. For example, a side of theactivity rail assembly 145 may include three or more telescoping tubes.In some embodiments, the horizontal activity rail portion 147 or anotherpart of the activity rail assembly 145 may include a table or a workingsurface.

Although the activity rail assembly 145 is illustrated in connectionwith ladder stands (tree stands with ladders), in some embodiments,activity rail assemblies configured in accordance with the presenttechnology may be implemented in other types of stands, such as standsthat do not include ladders, ropes, or other means to access the standfrom the ground, or in stands that hang directly from the supportstructure (hang-on stands), or in freestanding stands that do notrequire an existing support structure. Further, although activity railassemblies have been described herein in the context of a seatingportion or chair on a stand, in some embodiments, activity railassemblies may be implemented in other seating structures, regardless ofwhether they are part of a stand. For example, a seating structureconfigured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology mayinclude an activity rail assembly attached to a chair, which mayoptionally be supported by a platform or other elements of stands.Although the term “tree stand” includes the word “tree,” for thepurposes of the present disclosure, the term “tree stand” includesstands that are supported by trees, poles, walls, or other supportstructures, regardless of whether the support structure is a tree.

Certain aspects of the technology described in the context of particularembodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Further,while advantages associated with certain embodiments of the presentlydisclosed technology have been described in the context of thoseembodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and notall embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall withinthe scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associatedtechnology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown ordescribed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tree stand comprising: a ladder portion; aplatform supported on the ladder portion, the platform having a slot; achair supported on the platform; and an activity rail assembly rotatablyattached to the chair, the activity rail assembly having a horizontalactivity rail portion; wherein the activity rail assembly is rotatableamong a first stowed position in which the activity rail assembly isoriented upright, a second stowed position in which the activity railassembly is oriented downwardly and a portion of the activity railassembly is positioned in the slot, and one or more deployed positionsbetween the first stowed position and the second stowed position; andthe activity rail assembly is extendable and retractable between a firstposition and a second position, wherein when the activity rail assemblyis in the first position, the horizontal activity rail portion is closerto the chair than when the activity rail assembly is in the secondposition.
 2. The tree stand of claim 1, wherein the activity railassembly comprises a telescoping mechanism for extending and retractingthe activity rail assembly between the first and second positions. 3.The tree stand of claim 2, wherein the activity rail assembly comprisesa means for locking the telescoping mechanism to hold the activity railassembly in the first position, in the second position, or in a thirdposition between the first and second positions.
 4. The tree stand ofclaim 3, wherein the means for locking the telescoping mechanismcomprises a clamp.
 5. The tree stand of claim 1, further comprising aretaining element supported by the chair, wherein the retaining elementis movable between a first retaining element position in which theretaining element does not support the activity rail assembly, and asecond retaining element position in which the retaining elementsupports the activity rail assembly in one of the deployed positions. 6.The tree stand of claim 5, wherein the retaining element is movable toone or more additional retaining element positions in which theretaining element supports the activity rail assembly in a plurality ofalternative deployed positions of the one or more deployed positions. 7.The tree stand of claim 5, further comprising a track element, whereinthe retaining element is movable along the track element between thefirst and second retaining element positions.
 8. The tree stand of claim7, wherein the track element is curved or bent, and wherein when theretaining element is in the first retaining element position, theretaining element is clear of a pathway of the activity rail assemblybetween the first stowed position and the second stowed position.
 9. Thetree stand of claim 5, wherein the retaining element comprises a knob.10. A stand comprising: a platform; a chair supported on the platform;and an activity rail assembly rotatably attached to the chair, theactivity rail assembly having a horizontal activity rail portion;wherein the activity rail assembly is rotatable among a first stowedposition in which the activity rail assembly is oriented upright, asecond stowed position in which the activity rail assembly is orienteddownwardly, and one or more deployed positions between the first stowedposition and the second stowed position; and the activity rail assemblyis extendable and retractable between a first position and a secondposition, wherein when the activity rail assembly is in the firstposition, the horizontal activity rail portion is closer to the chairthan when the activity rail assembly is in the second position.
 11. Thestand of claim 10, wherein the platform comprises a slot positioned toreceive a portion of the activity rail assembly, and wherein when theactivity rail assembly is in the second stowed position, the portion ofthe activity rail assembly is positioned in the slot.
 12. The stand ofclaim 10, wherein the activity rail assembly comprises a telescopingmechanism for extending and retracting the activity rail assemblybetween the first and second positions.
 13. The stand of claim 10,wherein the activity rail assembly comprises a means for locking theactivity rail assembly in the first position, in the second position, orin a third position between the first position and the second position.14. The stand of claim 10, further comprising: a retaining elementsupported by the chair, wherein the retaining element is movable betweena first retaining element position in which the retaining element doesnot support the activity rail assembly, and a second retaining elementposition in which the retaining element supports the activity railassembly in one of the deployed positions; and a track element supportedby the chair, wherein the retaining element is movable along the trackelement between the first and second retaining element positions, andwherein when the retaining element is in the first retaining elementposition, the retaining element is clear of a pathway of the activityrail assembly between the first stowed position and the second stowedposition.
 15. The stand of claim 10, further comprising a ladderportion, wherein the platform is supported on the ladder portion.
 16. Aseating structure, comprising: a chair; and an activity rail assemblyrotatably attached to the chair, the activity rail assembly having ahorizontal activity rail portion and a mechanism for extending andretracting the activity rail assembly; wherein the activity railassembly is rotatable among a first stowed position in which theactivity rail assembly is oriented upright, a second stowed position inwhich the activity rail assembly is oriented downwardly, and one or moredeployed positions between the first stowed position and the secondstowed position; and the activity rail assembly is extendable andretractable between a first position and a second position, wherein whenthe activity rail assembly is in the first position, the horizontalactivity rail portion is closer to the chair than when the activity railassembly is in the second position.
 17. The seating structure of claim16, further comprising a platform, wherein the platform supports thechair.
 18. The seating structure of claim 17, wherein the platformcomprises a slot positioned to receive a portion of the horizontalactivity rail portion, and wherein when the activity rail assembly is inthe second stowed position, the portion of the horizontal activity railportion is positioned in the slot.
 19. The seating structure of claim16, further comprising: a track element supported by the chair andextending between a first position on a side of the chair and a secondposition different from the first position; a knob slidably engaged withthe track element and being movable along the track element between thefirst position and the second position, and wherein when the knob is inthe second position, the knob does not obstruct a pathway of theactivity rail assembly, and wherein when the knob is in the firstposition, the knob supports the activity rail assembly in one of thedeployed positions.
 20. The seating structure of claim 16, wherein theactivity rail assembly comprises: a first tube rotatably attached to thechair on a first side of the chair; a second tube rotatably attached tothe chair on a second side of the chair opposite the first side; a thirdtube telescopically positioned at least partially inside the first tubeand configured to slide within the first tube; a fourth tubetelescopically positioned at least partially inside the second tube andconfigured to slide within the second tube; and a means for locking thefourth tube relative to the second tube; wherein the horizontal activityrail portion extends between the third tube and the fourth tube.